Happy Black Business Month! Please introduce yourself and business:
Hi, my name is Jenni Steele. I am a mother of 3 residing in London, England and the Founder & Managing Director Project YANA CIC. I am also a qualified Early Intervention and Prevention Youth Practitioner, Healthy Relationships Educator  and National Ambassador for Domestic Violence, UK. 

What do we do at Project YANA CIC? For the last four years and counting, Project Yana aims to work with high risk young people who have directly been affected by gang related violence, sexual grooming, criminal and sexual exploitation, domestic violence and abuse.

I am an experienced speaker and qualified youth practitioner working 121 with young people and with statutory agencies (and referral agency) to ascertain the long and short term impact of their traumatic experience, develop a care pathway, harness and empower young people to develop their key skills. The long term purpose of the program is to help young people to recognize and accept their self worth, build their confidence and recognize situations that pose risk and reduce the long term harm.

What makes you unique in your industry?
We offer a wrap around support service, not just 121, for our teen clients. The family will also be supported if needed and will be sign posted to other services if necessary including therapy.  We create bespoke education programs based on the needs of the school, College and clients not just in the UK we are international.
During the lockdown period in England we created a podcast series to support, educate and offer solutions to families in the community. We support both girls and boys which is rare in this industry especially when it comes to domestic abuse. 


Please share your top 3 most proud accomplishments to-date:

• Turning a negative chapter in my life into positive solutions for the community. As a teenager I found myself in an unhealthy relationship. I made a promise to myself that I would create a support service for teenagers with added education around relationships. Something that was not available to me. 
• We have created our own short educational film on teen domestic abuse, healthy and unhealthy signs that we take on tours into schools, colleges and organizations. 
• Also, becoming a Patron for Ashmole International Academy in Tema in Ghana this year.

Any advice to other women in your industry?
I started out with a vision.  After gaining the necessary qualifications, I emerged with a mission for change. I keep myself educated and updated in order to offer the best support that I can through all levels of my services. I never saw owning a business as a part of that vision. We all have to start somewhere if doors close, start to build the foundation you are going to need to be grounded. I remember applying for support roles in my industry before I got my qualifications. 

Nobody would give me a chance at the time and the rejection was hard to deal with. Now those very companies are coming to my door for support services (I did that!) I could have given up. Build trusting with long standing business relationships partnership is key. Word of mouth goes a long way and quite often your name, business or services reaches spaces way before you do! 

Obtain clinical supervision. I can’t say this enough if you are working to support people through trauma or life challenges don’t forget your support! Especially if you have continued to work like myself through pandemic/ lockdowns. Companies think about your staff’s health and well-being and make it part of the companies self care going forward it’s very important. 


What is next for you in 2021 and how can readers connect with you:
As mentioned above during this year I became a patron of a school in Ghana. Alongside the support of a charity partnership we purchased curriculum books at the beginning of the year. In July, I visited the country and created the library. In January 2022, we will be launching an after school creative learning program for the children in Ghana, alongside the same charity Juvenis. There are exciting times ahead however education, empowerment and creatingsolutions are key to change. 

Connect with us : 
www.JenniSteele.co.uk

Instagram 
Officialjennisteele 
Project_yana_cic 

Twitter 
@projectyana2017

The Teen Inspiration Lounge Podcast. Available on Spotify and all leading podcast platforms. 

​written by Natalie Lee Martin

As a serial entrepreneur and mama of two amazing little beings, Shanell Lamere is empowering women and moms to live the life of their dreams. Shanell owns a commercial cleaning business, is an event videographer, and is the host of a dope podcast called “What She Grows Through!” Her podcast is dedicated to pour into and align with black women on a range of topics from sexuality to self-love. With a degree in both Psychology and Sociology, Shanell decided to leave her career as a family-based clinician for children with various mental health disabilities to start her own business.  Today she focuses on building a community that empowers and inspires black women. Her podcast was created to not only use her voice and share her story but as a platform for many other women to share theirs as well. 

As a child, Shanell recalls always dressing up and taking pictures. She remembers getting her first professional camera which drastically improved her natural abilities.  After watching hours of makeup tutorials on YouTube, she knew her dream of videography was more than just a dream.  So she began her own channel and quickly realized how much she enjoyed editing. In an effort to capture every moment of her journey as a new mom she began filming precious moments. “After a while, I realized I could have something here and began to take it seriously and of course a lot in between but now I’m here as a professional event videographer, capturing my clients' moments and turning them into forever films!” says Lamere. 

Shanell currently has a new Club on Clubhouse for black women and/or anyone who loves black women looking for a space of empowerment and inspiration. She encourages others to push through that fear. “As long as you have a clear vision of where you want to be, you can and will accomplish all of your goals if you continue to show up.”  The future is filled with endless possibilities and Shanelle looks forward to trademarking and expanding her videography business and podcast. You can follow her on IG and FB at What She Grows Through and Shanell Lamere Films as well as her page, Shanell Lamere. 
​